Cancer Chemo Radiation and Healing
The days are quieter now that treatments have finished. A time to relax, and heal, something my golden doodle does easily. While I was braving treatments he was learning and trying out different pieces of furniture that best suited his needs.
I am always fascinated by how our bodies heal. I started chemo in September of 2021 and followed it by radiation in April 2022. I knew the after healing would be such a breeze. The staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital were professional, friendly, and radiation treatments were quick. A total of 45 minutes from the time I was wheeled in until departure!
It was interesting to learn how many people RVH could accommodate in a day. Two treatment rooms with approximately 100 patients per day. Cancer certainly isn’t on the decline, and I still ask myself why. Kudos to all the health care workers always; even more so at this time with COVID-19 still around. Everyone entering the hospital must be checked in, and the patient goes in by his or herself. Masks are required while in the hospital. Radiation is daily and in my case was daily for 21 days.
The reason for writing this column is with the hope it reaches anyone who is about to start this journey.
Healing from eight months of treatment takes time. Everyone is different; really there is no book that will address the patient. Radiation aftereffects kick in mainly after the treatments have stopped, and reaches its peak about 12 days after one’s last treatment. The burning comes from the inside out towards the surgical surfaces. Tiredness is one of the most common side effects.
As I mentioned earlier, I so knew healing would be quick, but I was wrong, it takes time. The oncologist advised two months for every month of treatment is the general consensus!
If I were to share any more advice it would be to relax and take the time required. It’s best to take your questions to your radiology team or your oncology team.
